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'How it all began'  As a bold and independent Dutch emigrant, Ton Ham left his native Holland in 1960 to come and settle in New Zealand. He initially found work on a poultry farm and then served a brief term making cheese and butter at a dairy factory in Palmerston North. After meeting fellow Dutchman Henk Brookes, Ton went to work at a small business owned by Henk called Brookes Nurseries. Ton, who was eager at this stage to run a business of his own, negotiated with Henk and bought the nursery from him about 12 months later.
 After a few years, Ton decided to invest in a 10 acre plot of land a few kilometres south of the city. This land would be vigorously developed and transformed to house the nursery as it appears today.
In the mid-1990's Ton and his wife Lea sold the business to sons Paul and Henri, who are dedicated to continuing the high standard of quality and service set by their parents.
 Since its inception as a two-man company serving Palmerston North and its nearby regions, Awapuni Nurseries has grown substantially. It now employs more than 50 team members and relays the majority of its trade throughout New Zealand via leading chain stores. Now that the nursery is online, Paul and Henri plan to use their website as an information tool for customers, keeping the site current and interesting, while also being able to offer an unrivalled selection of plants and plant products with the convenience of home delivery. |
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